Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

[PenPusher]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

A quick scan of Fold3 revealed the following:-

Rankin & Faithful suppled Capt. R. Waller at Richmond, Virginia with 87 gross of wooden buttons (size not specified) in March 1862. http://www.fold3.com/image/#54220121

T H Blackman suppled Capt. R. Waller at Richmond with 127 gross of wood buttons (size not specified) in Feb 1862.
http://www.fold3.com/image/#30390196

A Verse supplied Capt T N Minter at Hempstead, Texas with 5750 wooden tent buttons (size not specified) in May 1862.
http://www.fold3.com/image/#54618999

There are many more references to check.

[Cameron]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

I noticed MB&S had their RD wooden button offering listed. I saw no specific dimensions listed but I have attached the image of their button oriented in the same way as the picture of the original pictured in an earlier post. (MBS on Left original on Right)

[poilu1917]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

Here is another image that Jim S. recently pointed out:

[musketbal]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

On the wooden button question, did the buttons originally have two holes or four? a four button coat I just purchased off this web site has two holes.

Thanks,

Brent Conner

[poilu1917]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

Brent,
That depends as both the four and two hole wood buttons did exist. The four hole variety in the style shown in the slide images I posted earlier appear to be the most commonly found variant on jackets from the eastern theater (ANV) and most likey were the ones issued through the Richmond Depot from the Gibson contract. The two hole buttons seem to be more common for "deep south" usage but some orginal two hole examples are documented to usage in the east.

I would say it all depends on what unit you are looking to portray and jacket. If you had a jacket sent from home from one of the lower southern states, a two hole button could be possible. If you are looking to represent an issued Richmond jacket, a four hole Richmond/Gibson style or Pilcher jacket variant would be what you would want. I hope this helps.

[musketbal]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

Thanks for the info my brother Marylander!

Brent Conner

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

Here is an example taken directly from a rebel uniform at Gettysburg by Capt. Samuel Murray, Co. F 2nd U.S. Sharpshooters. This regiment was deployed among the buildings and fences of the Slyder Farm between LRT and the Emmitsburg Road, and subsequently fell back through the Slaughter Pen/Devil's Kitchen area and up the slope of LRT where they later fought among the infantry. During the July 2nd battle they fought primarily against Law's Brigade (Alabamians). On July 6th the 2nd U.S.S.S. moved their camp to the foot of Little Round Top and according to two sources, Capt. Murray was granted permission to take his company sight-seeing in the area they fought over three days previous. This is no doubt when Murray took the wooden button.

Photo from the excellent "Gettysburg Battlefield Relics & Souvenirs" by Mike O'Donnell.

EDIT: A similar button can be found on the Jacob Mook jacket. Mook's service history is basically a tour of the war-time south; he joined the 4th Missouri Cavalry in Arkansas, rode with Sterling Price, was captured in Kansas, sent to prison in St. Louis, then to Point Lookout (Maryland) where he was exchanged, then to Richmond, then all the way to rejoin his command at New Orleans where they surrendered, and finally to Shreveport where he was paroled. http://www.civilwarvirtualmuseum.org...cket/index.php

[MuleyGil]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

[ATTACH=CONFIG]39735[/ATTACH]

Here is a photo of Barney B Cannoy, the last commander of Company F, 4th VA, the "Grayson Daredevils". The buttons in his type II look like wooden dish buttons.

Dan Limb

Dan, Where did you find this photo? I live in Grayson County, Virginia. BTW, there are still Cannoys living here.

[GreencoatCross]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

Private Anderson Martin wearing a Richmond Depot jacket with wood buttons. Martin enlisted and mustered in at Appomattox Court House on June 4th, 1861, into Co. A 44th Virginia Infantry. On March 27th, 1862, he transferred into Co. A 20th Battalion Virginia Heavy Artillery. According to the records Martin was present with both organizations throughout the war and took the Oath of Allegiance on April 17th, 1865, at Lynchburg, VA. Note the gold paint to make the buttons appear as metal.

[poilu1917]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

Brian,
Great image & info!

[Bob McDonald]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

Another example from a sixth-plate ambrotype, without ID:





Cheers,

Bob McDonald

[roundshot]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

And another one supposedly of Confederate General James McIntosh, killed at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas in March 1862. Go figure.

[poilu1917]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

McDonald, nice clear image of the possible Richmond/Gibson buttons. Do you mind if I add that to my ongoing collection? The fabric of that jacket looks thick and possibly of English manufacture like we have seen in others of this type and in quotes.

As for the image of General McIntosh, I have seen a larger version of this one and I believe the buttons are either cloth covered or of a different variety than that of the possible Richmond/Gibson buttons.

[Bob McDonald]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

J. M. -

With my compliments.


Bob McDonald

[poilu1917]

Re: Wooden Buttons on Type IIs

Here is another original Richmond Clothing Bureau style jacket with wood buttons. The provenance is that the coat was taken from a Rebel prisoner at Spotsylvania. The image is from Fred Adolphus' article on Confederate uniforms: http://www.adolphusconfederateuniforms.com/basics-of-confederate-uniforms.html